|
NMK8104
| Large Cents 1839-1857 |
Casey's Cents
Judge's Comments:
The Coronet Braided Hair Cents of these years, while relatively common in worn condition, are decidedly rare at the gem level. There are two or three dates that come nice from small hoards, but to assemble a complete set in consistently high grades is a remarkable achievement.
Outstanding highlights of this collection include 1850 and 1852, both grading MS-67 RB, and MS-65 RD examples of 1853 and 1855. The scarce 1847 and 1849 issues are both an amazing MS-66 RB.
The very scarce 1839 issue, of which just a single die pairing is known with Braided Hair, grades a very rare MS-65 BN.
| 1 | 42573 |
|
First Strike Society
| Barber Half Dollars 1892-1915, Proofs |
Everest Collection of Proof Barber Halves
Judge's Comments:
Typically, just a few hundred proofs of the half dollar were coined annually during the years 1892-1915, only that first year topping 1,000 pieces. Rare from the outset, today only a very small number survive unimpaired.
This collection maintains a consistently superior grade level throughout, with just a single coin grading less than PF-67. Numerous Ultra Cameo examples appear, and there are several extremely rare Cameo pieces from the 1902-08 period for which such coins are nearly unknown. The 1904, 1910 and 1915 proofs all bear the NGC star for superior eye appeal, a testament to their memorable beauty.
| 2 | 131653 |
|
BRS Legacy
| Trade Dollars 1873-1883, Proofs |
BRS Legacy
Judge's Comments:
The trade dollar proof series is a short one, running 1873-83 for most collectors, yet the early dates have proved to be frustratingly rare in gem condition. Why these coins were so mishandled remains a mystery, but the collection presented here demonstrates that it is possible to overcome this grade barrier.
The majority of the coins in this set are well into the gem range, outstanding examples being 1877 (PF-67), 1879 (PF-68*) and 1882 (PF-67 Ultra Cameo). While most collectors would be delighted to own all of the proofs 1873-83, this collection also includes PF-63 Cameo examples of the extremely rare 1884 and 1885 trades. What more can we say?
| 3 | 67974 |
|
Arlington_Collection
| Coronet Double Eagles, Type 1, 1850-1866 |
Arlington's Type 1 Double Eagles
Judge's Comments:
The Type 1 double eagles of 1850-66 were coins made to circulate, and that’s just what they did. There were no collectors of this series until decades later, and finding each issue in anything even approaching mint state is very challenging.
Complete by date and mint, the very rare 1854-O and 1856-O twenties grade AU-53 and AU-55, respectively. This set also includes the rare varieties, such as 1854 Large Date and 1861-S with Paquet Reverse, both grading AU-55. Some remarkable condition rarities include 1855-S (MS-61), 1858-S (MS-60), 1865 and 1865-S (both MS-65).
| 4 | 206659 |
|
Dr. EJC
| Indian Head Quarter Eagles 1908-1929 |
Dr. EJC 20th Century Gold-All Gem Indian Quarter Eagles
Judge's Comments:
The completion of a set of Indian Head Quarter Eagles has been a popular goal of collectors for decades, though most are content to simply fill the slots with whatever quality coins come their way. To attempt this set at a consistently gem level is quite an undertaking.
This is just such a collection, all the coins being exactly matched for grade at MS-65. The relative rarity of these coins varies considerably, with 1911-D being the undisputed key. Other very challenging issues at the gem level are 1912, 1914 and 1914-D, and all of these are represented with outstanding examples.
| 5 | 61239 |
|
|
Winners for year:
|